Deployment on Navy Ships: Staying Connected with MY HERO Dolls
Deployments and duties aboard Navy ships often separate sailors from their loved ones for months at a time. Staying connected during these absences is challenging, especially for families with young children or newborns. Popular options like Daddy Dolls, Hallmark Recordable Books, and Build-A-Bear help bridge this gap, but MY HERO Dolls provide a far superior way to maintain meaningful connections. With their unmatched quality, extended recording times, and advanced features, MY HERO Dolls are the perfect solution for military families.
Here’s why MY HERO Dolls are the best choice for staying connected.
1. Longer Recording Time: Share Full Stories and Messages
MY HERO Dolls come with a recordable device that can hold several minutes of audio. Unlike Hallmark Recordable Books, which are limited to short recordings, MY HERO Dolls allow you to share full bedtime stories, personalized messages, or even lullabies. This makes them ideal for staying connected with kids or newborns, ensuring they hear your voice and feel your love every day.
Pro tip: Record multiple messages before deployment so your child can hear you anytime.
Explore MY HERO Dolls: www.umbobooks.com.
2. Helping Newborns Recognize Your Voice
Newborns form bonds through voices. By using a MY HERO Doll, sailors can record soothing messages or bedtime stories, ensuring their newborn recognizes their voice even while they're at sea. This connection helps ease the transition when they return home, creating a smoother reunion for both parent and child.
Read our story: In 2020, MY HERO Dolls' founders used recordable storybooks during deployment. This inspired the creation of a more personal, lasting connection tool for families.
3. Superior Likeness and Quality: Like Daddy or Mommy
Unlike generic alternatives, MY HERO Dolls are designed to closely represent military parents. These dolls come in detailed military uniforms representing the Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Additionally, they offer customization options with different ethnicities, skin tones, hair colors, and genders to create a likeness of Daddy or Mommy.
This personalization provides comfort for kids, helping them feel close to their deployed parent.
Shop now: MY HERO Dolls.
4. Send Stories Home While Deployed
MY HERO Dolls go beyond simple recording devices. Future versions will integrate with the UMBO Connect app, allowing sailors to upload stories and messages . Whether you’re underway or stationed far from home, you’ll be able to send heartfelt recordings directly to your child’s doll.
With modern connectivity tools like Starlink available on many Navy ships, sending messages home has never been easier.
Never miss storytime again. Visit: umbobooks.com.
5. Affordable and High-Value
While other options like Build-A-Bear, Hallmark books, and Daddy Dolls may seem appealing, MY HERO Dolls offer more for less:
- Build-A-Bear plush toys range from $25–$60 and include basic sound chips for limited recordings.
- Daddy Dolls a photo likeness with no recording feature.
- Hallmark Recordable Books are priced at $34.99 but have short recording lengths.
In contrast, MY HERO Dolls are available for $54.99, include several minutes of recording time, and come with military-specific customization options.
Get yours today: www.umbobooks.com.
6. Give Back with Every Purchase
Each MY HERO Doll purchase supports military families through the MY HERO Fund. A portion of profits (5%) helps provide essential items like prescription glasses for children of active-duty service members. By choosing MY HERO Dolls, you’re not just investing in your family—you’re supporting a greater mission.
Learn more: MY HERO Fund.
7. Designed for Deployment Challenges
Deployment is hard on kids, but MY HERO Dolls help ease the separation. By including your voice, your child feels reassured, loved, and connected. The dolls serve as a constant reminder of their parent’s presence, making transitions smoother for both parents and children.
Why MY HERO Dolls Are Better: A Comparison
| Feature | MY HERO Dolls | Daddy Dolls | Hallmark Books | Build-A-Bear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recording Length | over an hour | None | one story | Limited sound chips |
| Customization | Uniforms, likeness | Photo likeness only | None | Outfits only |
| Technology | RE-Recordable | None | Recordable | Basic sound chip |
| Price | $64.99 (with recorder) | $40–$60 | $34.99 | $25–$60 |
Our Story: Inspired by Deployment
In 2020, MY HERO Dolls' founders Matthew and Jaclyn Miller faced a long deployment. To stay connected with their newborn son, they used recordable books to share stories. Their son grew to recognize Matthew's voice through the recordings. Inspired by this experience, the Millers created MY HERO Dolls to help other families stay connected.
Read the full story: umbobooks.com.
Final Thoughts: Staying Connected Matters
Deployments and long absences are part of Navy life, but staying connected doesn’t have to be hard. MY HERO Dolls are more than toys—they’re tools for building bonds and preserving connections. With extended recording capabilities, superior quality, and the ability to send stories from anywhere, MY HERO Dolls are the best choice for military families.
Order your MY HERO Doll today: www.umbobooks.com.
Stay connected, no matter the distance.
